Robert_

I believe that I have achieved some thickening in the crown due to using Avodart, but just how much I cannot say. I do believe that it did give me regrowth where Proscar did not. I couldn't even begin to speculate how anyone else would fare on the medicine. GSK didn't give out enough information after they stopped trials to make a very educated speculation. Just read up on it as much as you can and make the best decision you can for yourself. If one does decide to start taking it I strongly suggest that they STICK WITH IT for AT LEAST 12 months diligently before making a decision on its efficacy. That's taking it EVERY DAY for 365 consecutive days. Not 3 months. Not 6 months. Not even 9 months. Every day. Too many guys freak out at 4 months saying "It's making my hair fall out!" where in fact, it's just rushing hairs destined for the telegen phase into that phase more quickly. Once they return, and with the addition of minoxidil (which keeps hair in the anagen phase longer) the user should see improvement. At least, this is what happened to me. Your mileage, most certainly, may vary. -Robert

I think many of the horror stories come from guys that that don't give the drug enough time. I could be wrong, though. I would hate to brush off someone that did have a true negative experience as hysteria but the possibility is impossible to ignore. All of my grafts have been placed at the hairline and forelock - basically the front half of my scalp. I never shed there, that I know of. My shedding occurred at the crown, where I was pretty thin to begin with. This started about 1.5 months after I started taking it and lasted to about month 4. It then stabilized for a while and I noticed regrowth that surpassed my baseline at around month 8. From there it was all rainbows. I did use minoxidil 5% twice a day pretty diligently (missing a dose here or there) and Nizoral 2% as well. I have had no percieved side effects. Avodart is not a drug that you will be able to test its efficacy in 3 or 4 months, IMO. It will take a full 12 or even more months to see real results if you are going to get any regrowth. For me, the fact that the shedding phase went away and yielded to regrowth of the shed hair was enough to let me know it was working. The regrowth I got after that really drove the point home. It's no miracle drug but I have been satisfied thus far. I know you'll make a wise choice, Bushy so my next sentence isn't really for you but for anyone else thinking of starting Avodart: please do your research on DHT and DHT-inhibition and it's possible side effects before starting Avodart or even Propecia. I've read posts from and talked via email to way too many guys that started taking one or both of these medications that swear they had utterly horrible experiences. While I feel that many were alarmists that didn't quite understand that internal medicine will have body chemistry implications, I feel that they would have saved themselves a LOT of stress and made a much better choice for their personal situation if they had just read up on the subject before leaping in. I wrote an article on the differences and similarities between Avodart and Propecia that I posted here a few months ago. Maybe it will shed some more light on guys that are still making the decision: Avodart vs. Propecia -Robert

WCG, The transplanted hair sheds after about 3 weeks post-op. Around 3 to 4 months post-op, it starts to grow in for good. Some have likened the process to "balding in reverse." Normally subsequent procedures (2nd, 3rd, etc.) typically take a bit longer to grow in than the first. For me, just the opposite was true. I noticed ~.5 cm hairs at the hairline at just two months post-op. I am at 4 months post-op and I am definitely seeing lots of process. The only difference between the first procedure and the second is Dr. Cooley's new technique of permeating the scalp with oxygen directly after the grafts are inserted. As you can see in my pics, my healing time was nothing short of dramatic as well. I know I haven't been on the forums that much lately but that's about to change. Things have been crazy but now that I have some good growth coming in I'll be making regular updates again. Pics to come very soon! -Robert

I made the switch in November of '04 and I haven't looked back. My crown got thicker after a brief shedding period and my hair as a whole looks better. Recently, my overactive imagination told me that I was developing "gyno" so I took a month off to see what would happened and consulted a few docs. Turns out, it was just me getting flabby from not going to the gym and eating crap. So, yeah. Better safe than sorry and all, but I jumped the gun a bit on that one. I'm back on the Avodart now with no problems. I'll give up my Avodart when someone pries it from my cold, dead fingers. -Robert

Goodness, I hope you come back and check this thread before you leap! What, exactly, is your reason for the rush? Do yourself the favor of a lifetime and devote some time researching the implications of the surgery before you jump into something this huge. Let me know if I can help you out and answer any questions for you. -Robert

The crown is actually not the front but the actual "top" of the head. Mostly where you would find a cowlick. That is my crown. (Yes, the part that is still a little thin. ) I couldn't really make an honest assessment of Avodart's effect (if any) on my hairline or even behind it since I had grafts placed there so near the time I started Avodart. Now, most of the shedding I got was at the crown and slightly forward of it, which is referred to as the vertex. That shedding was pretty heavy from months 3 to about 7 or 8 but after a year on Avodart, let's just say I was glad I stuck it through. My crown thickened up significantly (that photo is at about my 12 month mark on Avodart; trust me it was MUCH worse before). I have had no real shedding sessions since then and no sides. I cannot complain about Avodart a bit but I still urge people thinking about using it to take the time to learn about it. -Robert

A great post from a great guy. After all your careful deliberation I'm glad (though certainly not surprised) that your experience was so positive. After seeing the graft placement in your temples, I have no doubt that in 6 months time you won't be "thinking about" your receded hair line anymore! It really looks immaculate, clean, and precise. Thanks for sharing, thinking. As I said in the other thread, I'm looking forward to following your progress as you grow in. -Robert

Beautiful, tight graft placement in the temporal region, thinking. I was "thinking" about you a couple of days ago wondering how it all went down. After all this time, I'm stoked to see that you are going to have a nice new hairline compliments of Dr. Cooley. Keep the spray on it and take it easy. You've earned a break! Can't wait for the updates! -Robert

As a reader of this and other hair restoration forums and the internet as a whole, I am constantly reminded and astounded at the rapid rate of the exchange of information that occurs with just the click of the "Enter" button. Just today, on these very forums, a prominent hair restoration physician came under attack by a disgruntled patient. The patient made some inflammatory remarks about the outcome of his surgery. After he made his post and clicked his "Enter" key, his post went live, for the world to see, in the blink of an eye. I read the thread just moments after it was posted and was once again reminded of just how dangerous the written word can become if not wielded carefully. Technology has blessed us all with a voice in which to share our ideas, experiences, and opinions. Any person perusing these forums can attest at the valuable influence that this phenomena has had on the hair loss industry. Any person that reads the forums for a little longer, digs a little deeper, can also attest to the possible damage that the written word, when not exerted carefully, can have. When someone decides to post a rash comment, with inflammatory language there is an inevitable snowball effect that occurs. The tone of the words used can annoy and even anger those who read it, who may in turn post back in the same manner. Another person reads that post, along with the original poster, and responds to it. The result can be a freight train of emotion nine pages long before an hour has passed. The real consequence is that none of the arguing solved anything and a new animosity is formed between two posters that, before the incident, could have learned a great deal from one another. Sides are chosen. Grudges are formed. The fabric of the once positive environment is torn. When confronted with the allegations this poster made, the physician in question was bound by patient confidentiality laws that prevented him from being able to defend himself and his actions. Again, strong words come into play; this time they are the words of the law. The physician is torn between defending his livelihood and abiding by the laws that defend the patient's right to privacy. Ultimately and thankfully, this particular physician took the high road and worded his post carefully, but adamantly. I do not wish to discuss this particular case in this thread. I am only using it as an example of how damaging the written word can be when used in haste. Had the poster given it a little thought instead of succumbing to the emotional turmoil that he experienced due to a "bad night" he may have not posted at all, leaving the issue within the confines of a private exchange between himself and the physician. But this is not always the best solution either. Shouldn't other hair loss sufferers have the right to know if a physician is performing sub-par work? Of course we should! That is the very foundation of these forums. The idea of the internet is to share information and the backbone of this forum is to warn others of the perils of the industry while providing them with information so that they can make the best decision possible. There is a happy medium, of course. In a sea of grey area, it is my opinion that the best life raft is one built of patience and good judgment. Had the poster presented his case in a tactful, concise manner perhaps he would have gotten a bit more sympathy for his plight; or at least the common courtesy of a more positive and responsive listening environment. Again, this post is not meant to discuss the example that I used. I wanted to make public my plea to all posters to breathe before they type; to think of the possible consequences before striking that "Enter" key. I don't want to stifle the exchange of information in any way, shape, or form. I only want us to ensure the exchange is civil and positive in nature, even when the content many times is not. Indeed, the keyboard is mightier than the sword. Like Jerry Springer says at the end of each episode, "Take care of one another out there." -Robert

It is certainly possible to walk away from a procedure with less hair than you started out with. This possibility is compounded when a physician attempts to thicken existing thin hairs by placing grafts in areas of the scalp that are not bald, but thin. Permanent shock loss due to the trauma to the scalp and follicle transection that can occur while making the incisions for the grafts are the two largest culprits. Luckily, the truly skilled physicians have made every effort to limit the possibility of this from happening. For instance, Dr. Cooley uses innovations like custom blades and ultra-refined follicular-unit transplant techniques that leave clean, precise graft incisions and placement that greatly reduce trauma to the scalp and the risk of transecting existing follicles. The risk you mentioned is just one more reason to research and find a physician that truly cares about their refined techniques and patient results. -Robert

I'm not damning you for sharing your story. However, I am not going to give you the time of day to even discuss your claims since I looked into your previous actions on another forum while they were still there. You may have been young at 24, but you are conscious of making your own decisions. I had my first procedure at 25 (2 years ago) and I know that I was capable of a rational decision. I have no pity on you when you say that you were too inept to make your own decisions regarding your own body. I'll discuss the possible merits of your case with you when you learn to bring facts to the table with tact. Own up to your own actions and discuss your situation rationally. It's only then that you will be able to garner constructive reviews of your situation. -Robert

You can disagree, and you're welcome to your opinion. After all, I'm not advocating Propecia in any way, shape, or form. I like to get most, or preferably all, information from published studies if at all possible. Here is what I found doing a quick search: This info can be found at Pubmed.org but is also right on Propecia's website here: http://www.propecia.com/finasteride/propecia/consumer/p...rmation/pi/index.jsp Look under "Adverse Reaction" As far as the link you posted, just doing a rough scan of the responses revealed that at least half were positive reactions to Propecia. Please also consider that a person having percieved negative effects is going to be more apt to speak out about their experience than someone that has popped the pill for years with no problems so the ratio is grossly one-sided. But I'm glad to see you doing your research. I did it myself before I started taking the drug to make sure that I was OK with it. It's not for everyone and I never stated that. However, for many guys it's a great treatment. -Robert

4 to 5 months is a stretch and I tend to stick to the conservative side just to be safe. For squats, deadlifts, etc. I wait three months. I will, however use the sled after about of month, being absolutely mindful of my form, though. -Robert

I feel you need to ask me what I think instead of assuming what I think. Just because I think that a hair restoration procedure can be a positive life changing experience if performed by the right physician for a patient with the right characteristics doesn't make me a cheerleader for the entire industry. If you'd take a look at over half of my posts, they are dedicated to talking people OUT of rushing into procedures without first looking into medication or other means of finding adequate means of dealing with their hair loss. Personally, I'm getting a bit tired of your constant negative one-sentence remarks to new persons coming to the forums looking for answers. A typical scenario will play out as follows: New poster: "Hey I want to know about hair transplants." Mahair: "You will most assuredly get butchered." If I cared to do a simple search I could find at least 10 or 12 instances of you doing this. Do you really think you are helping these people? If you do, you are sorely mistaken. All they are going to think is, "Gee, I went to that site looking for help and some jackass blew me off. Maybe I'll find some more info over on this other site..." and then they run over to some other hair loss "resource center" where the posters swear that rubbing donkey entrails on their heads will work wonders instead of staying here and finding truly helpful information. Don't judge me as some cheerleader leading people down a path just because I believe in a great hair transplant procedure. I know the good that can come from it because I'm living it. The doctor that butchered you pissed in your Cheerios, not the posters here. Calm yourself down and help out or get lost. Rockwell, sorry to hijack your thread. I have seen Dr. Konior's work and I know that he looks out for his patients. I wished you good luck before but you won't need it. You chose a great doc. -Robert

Good luck, buddy. Can't wait for the updates. -Robert

I've been taking Avodart for 17 months and I am still "waiting" for side effects to show up. Avodart inhibits much more DHT than does Propecia so deductive reason says that the risk of side effects is higher. Merck's studies indicate that only about 2% of users will experience mild side effects. Now, this may be a little optimistic, but I don't really think so. Time and time again has proven that Propecia is a pretty relatively safe medication. Now, if you are waiting for a side effect to show up sooner or later you will eventually get what you are waiting for. That's called the placebo effect. I'm not trying to downplay your concerns but I don't make it a habit to start fires if I don't see any already burning, if you get my drift. -Robert

Transplanted donor hair retains it's characteristic to be DHT-resiliant, but it also adapts to its environment (within reason) if it is transplanted to the hair line in that it will become finer and more "hair line-like." My guess would be that the hair would retain its original color but I am not a physician so I cannot be completely sure. The only way to find out the answer for sure would be to ask a physician. You can find a hair restoration physician and fill out an online consultation form including photos for an answer by using this map. -Robert

My knee-jerk reaction would be the same as Laughter's Medicine. I would be inclined to go back to my family doctor and have him/her help me in a search for a reputable specialist. Good luck! -Robert

I know that True & Dorin Medical Group are successfully utilizing this technique. To date the physicians I have seen use this technique successfully either through high-res photos or in-person are: Dr. Cooley of Charlotte, NC Dr. Paul Rose of Tampa, FL Drs. Hasson & Wong of Vancouver, Canada Dr. Ron Shapiro of Bloomington, MN Drs. True & Dorin of New York, NY Dr. Jeffrey Epstein of Miami, FL There are (hopefully many) more, but these are the ones that immediately come to mind. -Robert

Sure guys. I'll let you know what I did after both of my procedures. Right after the procedure, I went home with a VERY loose fitting ball cap supplied by Dr. Cooley. This is nothing you'd really want to go out in, since it would make a "trucker hat" look small, but it got me home. The next day I chilled out. After that, I would take a strip of Saran Wrap that was large enough to cover the recipient area and spray one side with the spray that Dr. Cooley provides for all of his patients. This spray is very much like Graftcyte or similar products but Dr. Cooley makes it himself and gives it out free. You can also use water in a spray bottle, I just used his spray because I had it and it was good to keep the grafts saturated with it. I then laid this plastic barrier on the recipient area being careful to completely cover any grafts. I then carefully placed my favorite ballcap on my head by placing it on my forehead first and then pulling it down in the back. This is so I could make sure that the plastic wouldnt shift around. Tuck any remaining plastic that may hang out the sides into the cap. As long as you are careful that the ballcap isn't TOO tight, this will work great. If it is too tight there is the chance that you could offset the angulation of the newly-placed grafts the first few days. After about 5 this will not be a concern. I wore the plastic this way for about 12 days. You can probably get away with 10 or so, but I like to be more safe than sorry. Hope this helps. -Robert

Welcome to the forums, Blue Ninja. Though you should be sure to ask a doctor this question to be sure, I don't think you should get your hopes up that the hair in your temporal region will grow back just because you are decreasing the testosterone in your body. The follicles of the hairs that have been lost are already miniturized from the ravages of DHT. THe damage done can't be "undone" just because you will have a decreased amount of that hormone in your system. You could try applying topical minoxidil to that area twice a day. Some people have reported success in regrowth at the temples by using minoxidil. Just remember that if you do start using it and seeing results that you will have to use it indefinitely (read: forever) to keep the benefits. Hope this helps to answer your question. -Robert

DO you still have crust and skin flaking from the recipient area from a procedure that was performed on January 6th? That does not sound right at all. Your recipient area should look much as it did pre-op. -Robert

I have been talking to Captain about this very same thing in this thread and this thread. She is new here so she didn't know to keep her questions in the same thread to keep them from getting spread out. -Robert

Like this? It has to be hosted to paste it in the message. Since yours is hosted when you uploaded it as an attachment I just opened the pic, right-clicked on it and selected "Properties." There, you get the URL of the photo, and copy and paste it into URL space under the Poloroid icon in the reply box. -Robert

Never used Organin, but I did write up my review of Toppik vs. Nanogen here. You may want to try that sometime too. -Robert